Top 25 Inspirational Quotes by Olympic Athletes

The Olympics are an exciting time, but don’t spend the next two weeks sitting on your couch watching the athletes perform. Take a look at these inspirational quotes from some athletes, past and present. Let them serve as inspiration and motivation for all that you do. Remember, whatever our fitness level, we’re all training for something. While you may not be training for a gold medal, you very well may be training for six-pack abs, or to fit into an old dress, or any number of things. Train with the same intensity and determination of the athletes below and good things will surely follow.

Jesse Owens
“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.”
–USA track and field gold medalist

Mark Spitz

“I’m trying to do the best I can. I’m not concerned with tomorrow, but
with what goes on today.”

“Nothing is impossible. With so many people saying it couldn’t be
done, all it takes is an imagination.”
–Michael Phelps, USA gold medalist in swimming

Joey Hagerty

“We have a heard of gold, and that’s what this medal is right here.
It’s a team that will never give up.”
–Joey Hagerty, USA medalist in gymnastics

Kellie Wells

“‘If you think you can’t, you won’t, and if you think you can, you
will.’ When I’m tired at practice, I tell myself that I’m not tired,
and I can push through. If you tell yourself you’re tired or if you
tell yourself you’re sick, your body is going to follow the mind.”
–Kellie Wells, USA indoor and outdoor hurdles champion

Carl Lewis

“If you don’t have confidence, you’ll always find a way not to win.”
–Carl Lewis, USA gold medalist in track and field

“As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can:
by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we’ve been given.”
–Mary Lou Retton, US gold medalist in gymnastics

Lolo Jones

“There’s always a point where you get knocked down. But I draw on what
I’ve learned on the track: If you work hard, things will work out.”
–Lolo Jones, Olympic hurdler

Kerri Walsh

“Passion is a huge prerequisite to winning. It makes you willing to jump through hoops, go through all the ups and downs and everything in between to reach your goal.”
–Kerri Walsh, beach volleyball Olympic gold medalist

Bruce Jenner

“You have to train you mind like you train your body.”
-Bruce Jenner, USA medalist in the decathlon

Olga Korbut

“This ability to conquer oneself is no doubt the most precious of all
things sports bestows.”
–Olga Korbut, USSR gold medalist in gymnastics

Andre Agassi

“Nothing can substitute for just plain hard work. I had to put in the time to get back.
And it was a grind. It meant training and sweating every day. But I was completely committed
to working out to prove to myself that I still could do it.”
–Andre Agassi, USA gold medalist in tennis

Wilma Rudolph

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit.
We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”
–Wilma Rudolph, USA gold medalist in track and field

Al Oerter

“I didn’t set out to beat the world; I just set out to do my absolute best.”
–Al Oerter, gold medalist in the disc throw

Shaun White

“I think the way to become the best is to just have fun.”
–Shaun White, gold medalist in snowboarding

“Have fun, because that’s what life is all about.”
–Ryan Lochte, USA gold medalist in swimming

Summer Sanders

“The things you learn from sports – setting goals, being part of a team, confidence – that’s invaluable. It’s not about trophies and ribbons. It’s about being on time for practice, accepting challenges and being fearful of the elements.”
–Summer Sanders, USA gold medalist in swimming

Missy Franklin

“The goal is to keep having fun. Not let that pressure get to me and still be Missy.”
–Missy Franklin, US gold medalist in swimming

Matt has been involved in the fitness industry for over 10 years and has worked with, and helped countless individuals improve their lives. After college, Matt started his fitness career working in the trenches as a personal trainer for a big corporate gym. It was here he saw how impersonal Big Fitness really was. Clients weren't people, they were just sales waiting to be made. After branching out and starting his own personal training business in San Diego, Matt soon developed the idea of Share It Fitness and started our (now highly successful) blog. A fitness junkie himself, Matt knows the importance of incorporating exercise into your life. When he isn't working at Share It Fitness, you can find Matt running, biking, taking yoga, or pumping iron around San Diego.